3 Hazard Types to Consider When Developing a Water Management Program per ASHRAE Standard 514-2023
By Hilary Nardone, Senior Permitting Manager
Certified ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist
The new ASHRAE Standard 514 – Risk Management for Building Water Systems: Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Hazards, provides guidance on how to design, build, operate, and maintain building water systems to protect building occupants from the hazards associated with these water systems. The standard outlines three hazard types and ways to mitigate the risks of each including guidance on water temperature, water quality, system design and maintenance, and risk assessments:
- Microbial hazards: Guidance on how to prevent the growth and spread of microbial hazards in building water systems, such as Nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella, Acanthamoeba, and Naegleria fowleri, all of which can lead to negative human health effects. This includes guidance on water temperature, water quality, system design and maintenance, and risk assessment.
- Physical hazards of water, such as scalding.
- Chemical hazards: Disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, corrosion products, and chemicals can pose health hazards in drinking water.
What is the Main Difference Between ASRAHE Standard 514 and ASHRAE Standard 188?
ASHRAE Standard 514 expands beyond the scope of ASHRAE Standard 188. ASHRAE Standard 188, most recently updated in 2021, outlines the requirements of a Water Management Program (WMP) to mitigate the risk of Legionella bacteria in building water systems. However, to maintain proper water hygiene, it is essential to evaluate and implement strategies to mitigate the risk of other hazards beyond Legionella bacteria. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider it essential for facilities to implement a Water Management Program that is effective in limiting Legionella bacteria and other opportunistic pathogens of premise plumbing from growing and spreading. ASHRAE Standard 514 provides guidance on how to manage these hazards and protect building occupants from water-related diseases and injuries. ASHRAE Standard 514 is a valuable resource for designing and implementing Water Management Programs and should be taken into consideration when evaluating plumbing system hazards and when implementing a WMP.
Barclay Water Management, Inc. has created, implemented, and validated hundreds of complete Water Management Programs (WMPs). In partnership with our customers, Barclay Water Management is dedicated to ensuring its WMPs comply with national and local standards and guidelines including ASHRAE, the Joint Commission, Department of Veteran Affairs, and local Health Departments.
